There are many events lined up for October’s First Friday, but one is of particular interest to us in the School of Art. Join us from 5-7pm at the Historic Union Hall (208 E. Main St.) for a memorial exhibition reception celebrating the life and art of Andrew McDonald. Andrew was a UM student and prolific painter who passed away suddenly this summer. His paintings are emotional, complex and vary in both scale and influence. Special thanks to Maggie, the manager of the Union Club, for allowing us to host this special event at her venue.

Art major Nancy Rishoff will be hosting a reception of her latest works at Computer Central ( 136 E. Broadway). Join Nancy and friends and take in her wonderful new exhibition titled, “Completely Foiled”. Nancy’s drawings are all on tin foil!

School of Art alumna Adelaide Gale Every has art at Bernice’s Bakery (190 S 3rd St W), which she describes as, “So shiny, so colorful, and just as sweet, these new works in plexiglass by Adelaide Every are pure indulgence minus the calories. Utilizing plexiglass as her canvas, and adding pinches of acrylic, spraypaint, vinyl, and found objects…”

The Brink Gallery (111 w front St.) has this message to share, “The Brink Gallery is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibit “fix yourself”, byToni Matlock. With video, sculptures, and drawings, Matlock explores the process of learning and communication. Learning is on-going. Once something is learned, it is learned and re-learned continually in different ways. There is also a question as to whether a moment of true knowledge exists. Matlock’s video entitled “you don’t hear me”, deals with communication and miscommunication, where the same language is used, but understanding is elusive. Making use of light and line, Matlock’s sculptures and drawings combine symbols and shared knowledge for a new narrative in a different place and time. Rich in thoughtfulness and simplicity, fix yourself chases moments of clarity, combining movies and sculpture to subtly scrutinize the clutches and skirmishes of memory and the mundane.” Be sure to check out Toni’s exhibition in this wonderful space!

School of Art graduate Gabriel Schmitt will present his latest works at Butterfly Herbs (2323 N. Higgins). Gabriel will be showing a new series of Paintings and Drawings. The body is comprised of works that utilize quick construction techniques and lo-fi aesthetics.

There is a new gallery in Missoula! A space previously used by the School of Art and other groups has been transformed into a permanent feature on the local art scene! Check out the alley behind the Old Post Pub which has been named, “Frontierspace.” Here is their First Friday announcement, “Frontierspace, Missoula’s newest gallery presents Nationwide Repercussions for the month of October. Featuring artists from Detroit, Chicago, Rural Georgia, and Seattle, Nationwide Repercussions will feature work in a variety of media addressing the ideas of place and location. Frontierspace will be open Friday, October 1st from 6pm to 11pm. Frontierspace is located one block west of Higgins in the alley between Pine and Spruce.” We all welcome this addition to our First Friday route!

The UC Gallery is hosting an exhibition that will change throughout its installation period. Stop by and take a look at “Art in Progress” and “observe, interact and be a part of the creative process as artists create diversity themed works of art.” It’s all part of the university’s Day of Dialog, so don’t miss out!

Our dear friends at the Missoula Art Museum invite you to “JoinMichael Sarich for a gallery talk about his paintings, ceramics, and large assembled puppets which are laced with his characteristic imagery and wry social commentaries. Investigate the symbolic nature of the work, spanning imagery of Mickey Mouse, tattoos, beach balls, and cartoons as they rise above their original, intended visual and commercial appeal. Sarich will share his personal history at 6 PM. View exhibitions in six galleries, sample delicious wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.”

Other News:

If you are an art student who has wanted to go to Europe, you are in luck! Drs.Chacón andHedquist are planning a Art History course in both Rome and Istanbul for winter session 2011! Who better to show you the sights and explain the art and architecture than these two dynamic and engaging professors? An informational meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 29th at 5.00pm in the Art History and Criticism Resource Center (FA 202).

The School of Art’s student group, the Artists’ Collective, will have an informational meeting on Wednesday, September 29th at 6pm in Fine Arts 102. If you are interested in learning more about this active group of art students, please be sure to attend.

Wow, that’s a lot of info this week! If you have an item you would like to be considered for publication on this blog, contact us HERE. Have a great first Friday and don’t forget to add us on Facebookand follow us on Twitter.